FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an injection molding device for the production of 5 multi component injection molded products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From the prior art injection molding machines are known which are used to make multi component injection molded products.

US20101 1 7440A was first published in 2009 in the name of Zahoransky AG. It i o describes a brush manufacturing machine which has a first injection-molding ma ^¬ chine for the region-by-region injection molding of material around bristle bundles held in cartridges and for forming a bristle carrier connecting the bristle bundles. A second injection-molding machine is present in which the bristle carrier can be inserted and material can be injection molded around this carrier for forming a brush 1 5 body or partial brush body. The first injection-molding machine is constructed for forming a thin-walled plate as a bristle carrier and has a shorter cycle time than the second injection-molding machine. At least the second injection-molding machine is constructed as a multi-compartment injection-molding machine and has a multiple of the number of mold cavities of the first injection-molding machine.

US20010131 52 was first published in 2000 in the name of M and C Schiffer GmbH. It relates to a method of manufacturing a brush head comprising a brush 5 head body carrying bristle bundles, such as tooth brushes, by way of injection molding. A first plastic component is injected into a first mold cavity for forming a bristle carrier. The ends of the bristle filaments projecting into the first mold cavity are encompassed by the first plastic component. The bristle carrier manufactured during the first step is relocated into another mold cavity, which is larger than the i o bristle carrier, and which is filled with a hard component. A brush head complying with the above-mentioned demands, that the brush body comprises a bristle carrier encompassing the bristle filaments on the attachment side, said bristle carrier being embedded into a hard component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 5 The injection molding devices known from the prior art are relatively complex and slow. It is an object of the invention to provide a more efficient and precise device for the making of multi component injection molded products.

The invention is therefore directed to injection molding devices for the efficient production of complex multi component injection molded products, such as e.g. blood bags, beverages bags for drinks or other liquids and similar products comprising two or more components.

Products such as e.g. blood bags normally comprise a bag (first component), a spout (second component) and a seal (third component) which are interconnected to each other. While the spout is attached to the bag, the seal is normally made from a different material then the spout. In a preferred embodiment the seal is attached to a plug which is interconnected to the spout by a film hinge (thin stripe of material). The spout and the plug are preferably made from the same material (second component) .

Products such as e.g. toothbrushes may comprise brushes (first component), a carrier for the brushes (second component) and a brush body (third component) which are interconnected to each other. While the carrier is attached to the brushes, the brush body is attached to the carrier.

Products such as e.g. golf balls normally comprise a core (first component), an inner layer (second component) and an outer layer (third component). While the inner layer encompasses the core, the outer layer encompasses the inner layer.

An injection molding device according to the invention normally comprises an injection machine and an injection mold with a middle mold part which is arranged in a first direction between a first outer mold part and a second outer mold part. The first outer mold part and the second outer mold part are arranged linear movable with respect to the middle mold part in the first direction between an open position and a closed position of the injection mold. The middle mold part is arranged turn- able about a rotation axis and comprises at least one side face.

In an operable condition the at least one side face comprises at least one first cavity suitable to temporarily receive a first component. The first cavity communicates at least in the closed position of the mold with a first cavity half of a second cavity. At least one of the outer mold parts comprises a second cavity half of the second cavity which in a closed position of the injection mold interacts with the first cavity half to form the second cavity suitable to receive a liquefied first plastic material to form a second component interconnected to the first component of the multi component injection molded product.

In a variation the at least one first cavity is at least partially arranged between a first side plate and a second side plate of a cavity module which is separable from the middle mold part. The middle mold part comprises at least one recess foreseen to receive the at least one cavity module during production . During production a number of the cavity modules can be arranged outside of the middle mold part. The number of cavity modules can be higher than the number of recesses in the middle mold part. A first cavity half of the second cavity can at least partially be arranged in a side plate of a cavity module and in a closed position communicates with the first cavity.

In a variation at least one side plate of the cavity module is interconnected to the middle mold part while the second side plate is arranged movable with respect to the first side plate between an open and a closed position. E.g. the second side plate is arranged rotatable about a hinge axis and/or in a translational manner with respect to the first side plate of the related cavity module.

A handling system can be interconnected to the injection mold to handle at least the first components and/or the final multi component injection molded products. The handling system can be used to insert and/or remove the first component from the first cavity when the cavity is in an open position. The handling system can comprise means to open and /or close the first cavity of the cavity module. Alternatively or in addition these means can be incorporated in the middle mold part. I n a preferred variation the handling system interacts with a side face of the middle mold part arranged at an angle of 90° with respect to the side faces under production, i.e. those which are interacting with the outer mold parts for injection molding.

If appropriate, a third component which is interconnected to the second component can be made as follows: A first cavity half of a third cavity is arranged adjacent to the first cavity half of the second cavity and interacts in a closed position of the injection mold with a second cavity half of the third cavity arranged in the second outer mold part. The third cavity is foreseen to receive a liquefied second plastic material to form the third component of the multi component injection molded product. The third cavity can at least partially be integrated into the cavity module and/or the side face of the middle mold part in which the cavity module is arranged. If appropriate, the first and/or the second mold half may comprise additional cutting means to trim the first component.

A method for the production of a multi component injection molded product according to the invention may comprise the following method steps: a ) Providing an injection molding device as described above and hereinafter; b) Closing the injection molding device such that the third cavity is closed; c) Injecting the liquefied second plastic material into the third cavity to form the third component (at 0° position of the middle mold part); d) Rotating the middle mold part by 90° along with the third component attached to the middle mold part into a 90° position of the middle mold part; e) Inserting a first component in the first cavity, respectively inserting a cavity module comprising a first component in the first cavity into a respective recess of the middle mold part; f) Rotating the middle mold part by 90° into 1 80° position along with the third component attached to the middle mold part until the third component is arranged adjacent to the second cavity; g ) Closing the injection molding device such that the second cavity is closed; h) Injecting liquefied first plastic material into the second cavity to form the second component interconnected to the first and the third component; i) Opening the injection molding device after the first plastic material of the second component is sufficiently cured; j) Opening the injection molding device and removing the multi component injection molded product.

Normally the injection of the liquefied first plastic material into the second cavity and the liquefied second plastic material into the third cavity takes place simultaneously, i.e. when the injection mold is closed. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to pro-vide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings i 11 us - trate various variations of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The draw ^¬ ings are showing:

Fig. 1 an injection molding device in a perspective manner; Fig. 2 detail D of Figure 1 ;

Fig. 3 a middle mold part along with a cavity module in a perspective manner; Fig. 4 a first component (bag body); Fig. 5 a second component (spout); Fig. 6 a third component (seal );

Fig. 7 a cavity module with parts of the middle mold part in a perspective man ^¬ ner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIATIONS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain variations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, the variation disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the variations set forth herein; rather, these variations are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Figure 1 shows an injection molding device 1 according to one variation of the invention. The shown example of the injection molding device 1 is suitable for the efficient production of multi component injection molded products such as blood bags 2.

As shown in Figure 6, a blood bag 2 normally comprise a bag body 3 (first component), a spout 4 (second component) and a seal 5 (third component) which are interconnected to each other. While the spout 4 is attached to the bag body 3, the seal 5 is normally made from a different material then the spout 4. In a preferred variation the seal 5 is attached to a plug 6 which is interconnected to the spout by a film hinge 7, e.g. in the form of a thin stripe of material. The spout 4 and the plug 6 are preferably made from the same material (second component). Alternatively the seal 5 and the plug 6 can be made from the same material.

As visible in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the injection molding device 1 comprises an injection mold 8 with a middle mold part 9 which is arranged in a first direction (x- direction ) between a first outer mold part 1 0 and a second outer mold part 1 1 . The first outer mold part 1 0 and the second outer mold part 1 1 are arranged linear movable with respect to the middle mold part 9 in the first direction (x) between an open position and a closed position of the injection mold 8. The middle mold part 9 is arranged turnable about a rotation axis 1 2 (z-direction) in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow 1 3 and comprises in the shown variation four side faces 1 4 which are arranged parallel to each other in pairs.

In an operable condition, the at least one side face 1 4 comprises at least one first cavity 1 5 suitable to temporarily receive a first component 3 , here in the form of a bag body made out of thin a thin foil of plastic material (compare Figure 4) . The bag body 3 may comprise several layers, depending on the field of application. The first component 3 is inserted into the first cavity 1 5, preferably by a handling system which forms part of the injection molding device 1 or which is arranged on the outside.

The first cavity 1 5 communicates at least in the closed position of the injection mold (not shown in detail) with a first cavity half 21 of a second cavity 20. At least one of the outer mold part 1 0 comprises a second cavity half 22 of the second cavity 20 which in a closed position of the injection mold 8 interacts with the first cavity half 2 1 to form the second cavity 20, as indicated by the dotted line Figure 7. The second cavity 20 is suitable to receive a liquefied first plastic material to form the second component 4 interconnected to the first component 3 of the multi component injection molded product 2 (compare Figure 5) .

The middle mold part 9 comprises at least one recess 1 9 foreseen to receive the at least one cavity module 1 6 during production. A cavity module is inserted into the recess from the outside as schematically indicated by dotted line 26 in Figure 1 . The direction of insert is in the shown variation perpendicular to the side face 1 4. If appropriate one or several recesses 1 9 can be arrange in at least one row and/or column in each side face 1 4 (not shown in detail) .

Figure 3 is schematically showing the handling of the cavity modules 1 6. As shown, a number of the cavity modules 1 6 are arranged outside of the middle mold part 9 during production. The number of cavity modules can be higher than the number of recesses in the middle mold part 9. A first cavity half 2 1 of the second cavity 20 can at least partially be arranged in a side plate of a cavity module 1 6 and in a closed position communicates with the first cavity 1 5.

The third component 5 which corresponds in the herein described example the seal 5, is made as follows. A first cavity half 24 of a third cavity 23 is arranged adjacent to the first cavity half 2 1 of the second cavity 20 and interacts in a closed position of the injection mold 9 with a second cavity half 25 of the third cavity 23 arranged in the second outer mold part 1 1 . The third cavity 23 is foreseen to receive a liquefied second plastic material to form the third component 5 of the multi component injection molded product 2 (compare Figure 6). The third cavity 23 can at least partially be integrated into the cavity module 1 6 and/or the side face 1 4 of the middle mold part 9 in which the cavity module 1 6 is arranged during production.

As best visible in Figure 2, a first cavity 1 5 is arranged between a first side plate 1 7 and a second side plate 1 8 of a cavity module 1 6 which is separable from the middle mold part 9 in a radial direction (depending on the field of application, other directions are possible). The first and the second side plate 1 7, 1 8 may be e.g. in- terconnectable to each other by bolts 27 and/or a snap connection and/or a magnetic connection if appropriate. The assembly direction is schematically indicated by dotted lines 28. When the first and the second side plate 1 7, 1 8 are separated from each other the first component 3 is arranged between the first and the second side plate 1 7, 1 8 and the cavity module 1 6 is closed again. The cavity module 1 6 is then inserted into recess 1 9 in the side face 1 4. It is securely held therein by appropriate locking means not shown in detail.

The following steps are executed for the production of the multi component injection molded product 2 as described above: Inserting a cavity module 1 6 comprising a first component 3 into a recess 1 9 of the middle mold part 9. Rotating the middle mold part 9 by 90° into 1 80°-position. Closing the injection mold 8 such that the second cavity 20 is closed. Injecting of the liquefied first plastic material into the second cavity 20 to form the second component 4 interconnected to the first component 3. Opening the injection mold 8 after the first plastic material of the second component 4 is sufficiently cured. Rotating the middle mold part 9 by 1 80° and closing the injection mold 8 such that the second component 4 is enclosed in the third cavity 23. Injecting the liquefied second plastic material into the third cavity 23 to form the third component 5 (at 0° position of the middle mold part) . Rotating the middle mold part 9 by 90° and removing the cavity module 1 6 with the final product 2. Removing the final product 2 from the cavity module 1 6 and starting the process again. Injection of the liquefied plastic materials takes place via the first and the second outer mold parts 1 0, 1 1 . Normally the injection of the liquefied first plastic material into the second cavity 20 and the liquefied second plastic material into the third cavity 23 takes place simultaneously, i.e. when the injection mold 8 is closed.

As schematically indicated in Figure 3, a handling system can be interconnected to the injection mold to handle at least the first components and/or the final multi component injection molded products. The handling system can be used to insert and /or remove the first component 3 from the first cavity 1 5 when the cavity module 1 6 is in an open position. The handling system can comprise means to open and/or close the first cavity 1 5 of the cavity module 1 6. Alternatively or in addition, these means can be incorporated in the middle mold part 8. In a preferred variation the handling system interacts with a side face 1 4 of the middle mold part 8 arranged at an angle of 90° with respect to the side faces 1 4 under production, i.e. those which are interacting with the outer mold parts 1 0, 1 1 for injection molding.

Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS x First direction 1 7 First side plate (first cavity

1 Injection molding device module)

2 Multi component injection 1 8 Second side plate (first cavity 5 molded product / blood bag 25 module)

3 First component / bag body 1 9 Recess (for first cavity mod(bag ) ule)

4 Second component / spout 20 Second cavity

(bag) 2 1 First cavity half (second cav¬

1 0 5 Third component / seal (bag) 30 ity)

6 Plug 22 Second cavity half (second

7 Film hinge cavity)

8 Injection mold 23 Third cavity

9 Middle mold part 24 First cavity half (third cavity) 1 5 1 0 First outer mold part 35 25 Second cavity half (third cav¬

1 1 Second outer mold part ity)

1 2 Rotation axis 26 Direction of insert (line)

1 3 Turning direction (arrow) 27 Bolt (cavity module)

1 4 Side face (middle mold part) 28 Direction of assembly (line) 20 1 5 First cavity 40 29 Cutting means

1 6 Cavity module